CONTENTS 25 June - 1 July 2016Volume 1, No. 13

REGIONAL NEWS

PROVINCIAL NEWS

MINDANAO NEWS

NATIONAL NEWS

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MARINA Caraga spearheads ‘Filipino Seafarers Day’ celebration

COVER

Mindanao Centro officials pay courtesy call to PIA-13 chief, discusses partnership

SurSur army chief: Insurgency still lingers in some areas of province

DAR AgNor distributes land titles during CARP anniversary celeb

Sec. Singson’s last policy instruction: Budget ‘limit’ on projects to cut underspending

PENRO SurSur employees crowns Mr. and Ms. Kalikasan 2016

Government’s programs reached local residents in AgSur, says Gov. Plaza

Surigao Norte guv supports Duterte’s view on mining

586 OFWs, dependents celebrate 2016 Migrant Workers’ Day

National government budget surplus at P55 B in April 2016

EU ambassador supports launch of Mindanao collective trademark

Philippines sees Germany as model in shift to renewable energy

Agnor guv prioritizes ‘Education for All’

21 Barangay Agrarian Reform chairpersons take oath in AgSur

DTI Dinagat Islands holds BMBE orientation

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In anticipation of La Nina, Dr. Ernesto Pareja of DOH Caraga bares that their agency has already prepositioned teams to respond to any possible effects of the phenomenon. A quick response team to focus on La Nina and other disasters that the region will encounter has been proposed.

DepEd Caraga got the highest number of enrollees in the Senior High School in the entire country.

Aral kits containing notebooks, pencils, crayons, other school supplies and slippers are distributed among the pupil recipients coming from the different schools in Caraga region. Each child happily received their share of shoebox. It is hoped that the advocacy will strengthen as more public and private institutions are expected to take sponsorship of the said project.

Personnel of Carmen Municipal Police Station in the province of Agusan del Norte conducted a barangay visitation and dialogue to the barangay officials of barangay Poblacion, Rojales and Tagcatong regarding crime prevention & peace and order situation in the area.

News Briefs

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Cover StoryCover Story

Attended by several Maritime students coming from different tertiary schools, seafarers and representatives from line agencies, the Maritime

Industry Authority (MARINA) Caraga led the Filipino Seafarers Day celebration held on Saturday at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) grounds, this city.

MARINA Caraga spearheads ‘Filipino Seafarers Day’ celebration

The activity kicked-off with a simultaneous blowing of horns and a floral offering, and an opening program then followed right after the motorcade around the city thoroughfares. It was conducted first time in the city since it has always been celebrated in Surigao City, where their regional office is situated.

This year’s Day of the Filipino Seafarers celebration is anchored on the campaign theme, “At Sea For All.” The theme has a clear link with the 2016 World Maritime Day theme, “Shipping: indispensable to the world,” emphasizing that seafarers serve at sea not just for the shipping industry or for their own career purposes but

By: Venus L. Garcia

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for all of. Consequently, they are also considered as “indispensable to the world.”

According to MARINA Caraga regional director Engr. Emmanuel Carpio, the Filipino Seafarers’ Day Celebration is declared under Presidential Proclamation no. 183, giving respect to the seafarers who are working overseas and have great contribution in the boost of our economy. He added that 30 percent of Filipino seafarers comprise the total 460,000 maritime employees around the world.

Meanwhile, Luis Salarda, 2nd

officer, overseas seafarer, 36-year old, and married with two children, revealed in an interview that other than his love for ships and seas he is also inclined of such kind of employment in order to support his family by providing the best education for his children, helping uplift the status of their life, and from his earnings he was able to extend help to others as well.

Also, Edrian John Simeon, a Bachelor of Science in Marine

Transportation student, expressed that he was truly inspired by his father to pursue in getting the course. Simeon also said that he is driven by his interest with naval ships and that will open an opportunity for him to travel the world through water vessels for free.

The Day of the Seafarers was established to recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers to international seaborne trade, the world economy and to global society as a whole. This year’s event will celebrate the incredible impact that Seafarers make in the world and provides a chance for shipping companies to show their appreciation to seafarers as a whole.

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Filipino Seafarers’ Day Celebration

25 June 2016

Photo GalleryDepartment of Health

Caraga Region2016 Regional Red Orchid AwardsLuciana Convention Center, Butuan City

29 June 2016

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Mindanao Centro officials pay courtesy call to PIA-13 chief,

discusses partnership

REGIONAL NEWS

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY – The officials from Butuan-based Mindanao Centro Daily paid courtesy call on Monday to Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional director Abner Caga and discussed partnership in information dissemination. In his interview over 107.8 Power FM/ Advanced Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS) Network of PIA Caraga with deputy regional director Fryan

Abkilan, Mindanao Centro Daily general manager Arnel Cortez and editor-in-chief Mark Divid Bequilla expressed that their media outfit wanted to partner with PIA in

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Sec. Singson’s last policy instruction: Budget ‘limit’ on projects to cut underspending

BUTUAN CITY - Secretary Rogelio L. Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has this last policy instruction to recommend to management which is to impose ‘limit’ on annual funding for each project implemented by the Department to address underspending of budget. This was disclosed by the secretary during his recent visit to Caraga Region, his last before he bows out of the department come June 30, 2016.

disseminating timely, accurate and relevant information to the public. Cortez also revealed that he and his team are now the ones handling the daily operations of their local newspaper release. There have been changes in management, however, the target areas for dissemination/circulation are still the same.

“Our newspaper has been circulating in the key cities of Caraga region – here in Butuan, Cabadbaran, Bayugan, Tandag, Bislig, and soon in Compostella Valley. We will also do our best until we reach other parts of Mindanao,” said Cortez.

Cortez also emphasized his appreciation to PIA’s initiatives and innovations in technology. “I get to appreciate more how technology really works because of your initiative. We’re glad to have learned about your mobile application, which is very accessible and convenient. There’s really a lot to discover in social media. We hope to have a good partnership with your agency,” he underlined.

Meanwhile, director Caga assured the said officials that they will be part of the PIA’s future activities and will continuously receive updates through the agency’s known platforms.

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The outgoing secretary has been recently doing his rounds nationwide, visiting each region to assess current status of infrastructure program to ensure a smooth transition of governance to department’s newly- appointed Secretary Mark Villar.

“I am ready for turn-over anytime now, but I’m just doing my rounds to make sure the next administration will not encounter major problems following my lead,” he said.

On June 9, he had a stopover at the DPWH-Caraga Regional Office here, where he held a two-hour meeting with the agency executives and officials to hear their concerns on project implementation as well as share insights on policy directions and program thrusts of the incoming new administration, which may affect the bureaucracy of the department.

Sec. Singson disclosed that “despite the department is given huge amount of budget, a notable percentage of it were not used for projects neither for services, which is the prevailing issue at this point – underspending of funds.”

Underspending pertains to percentage of funds allotted to the department for its expenditure that were unable to utilize within the given period.

According to him, the DPWH Central Office has recognized budget programming as the bottleneck of

series of complications that eventually “results to underspending.”

“The management committee is meeting regularly nowadays with incoming Sec. Villar, and we have studied closely the necessary approaches to undertake to address this issue, of which one is to limit annual funding of projects with multi-million worth, such as bridges, to be based on capacity of contractors to accomplish certain percentage of projects,” he said. He said this policy entails contractors to enter into multi-year obligational authority.

“By that, it means the single contractor will assume implementation until the project is completed, but the annual funding will be based on how much they can accomplish for the current year the project is being implemented,” he added. Another factor he identified that hinders the utilization of budget is the delay on accomplishment due to road right-of-way, inaccessible project locations, and protracted processing of documents.

“These problems could’ve been mitigated, if not avoided, when they are worked out initially prior to the beginning of implementation of project itself,” he said.

At this point, Sec. Singson recommended that by the following

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By: Jean Pearl I. Millones

586 OFWs, dependents celebrate 2016 Migrant Workers’ Day

Delegates from the five provinces of Caraga, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and the Island Province of Dinagat joined in the day’s merriment bearing the theme “Salamat OFW, Saludo Kami sa Inyo.”

Showcasing that the OFWs are talented as well, Pinoy Wise Sulong Mount Diwata OFW and Dependents Association of San Francisco, Agusan del Norte commenced the activity with a doxology.

Overseas Workers Welfare Adminsitration (OWWA) Caraga regional director Samuel S. Madrid opened the celebration and delivered the message of OWWA Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado saying “that the Migrant Workers Day is the time where we give honor to our OFWs, and pay recognition to the sacrifices they endure and contributions they make to secure a better future for their families, their communities and their homeland.”

BUTUAN CITY - Over 586 migrant workers, their beneficiaries and dependents all over Caraga region gathered in the day of giving honor to the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the Migrant Workers’ Day 2016 at the municipal gymnasium, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur on Saturday, June 11, 2016.

year, only projects that are ‘workable’ should be implemented, while the rest of the budget is utilized in the preparation of those that have anticipated difficulties.

Sec. Singson clarified that while

imposition of the said ‘limits’ does not entail low budget for the succeeding years – but only for a time being until workable conditions are met for projects to push through – thus fund utilization is efficient in this approach. (DPWH-Caraga)

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The OWWA Administrator gave emphasis to the OFWs sector’s contribution to our society. “Tunay na hindi matatawaran ang ambag ng ating mga OFWs sa pagsulong ng ating ekonomiya. Sapat din na bigyan nating halaga ang kanilang sakripisyo para sa kapakanan ng kani-kanilang pamilya. Ang tagumpay ninyo ay tagumpay din ng bawat Pilipino,” Administrator Calzado expressed.

Moreover, San Francisco Municipal Mayor Jenny D. De Asis extended her joy in hosting the year’s Migrants Day in time for the month long celebration of the Magdiwata Festival of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. Mayor De Asis also lauded the OFWs and addressed them as the living heroes of the society. “Aside from the support that you are providing for your family, you have also contributed so much to our locality. You, OFWs, are our partners in the development of our local government units,” the mayor added.

The day was also a venue for the OFWs and their dependents to showcase their various talents in singing and dancing as they performed both songs and dances.

Among the desires of the activity is to bring the services of both public and private sector closer and easily accessible to the participants. The services of government offices such as Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), Home

Development Mutual Fund (PAG-Ibig), Landbank of the Philippines were made available for shopping of the participants. Social partners for housing, insurance and banking including Filinvest Land Incorporated, Camella Homes, West Highlands by A Brown Company Inc, PhilAm Life, Bank of the Philippine Islands and Banco de Oro - San Francisco Branch were also at the venue.

A wellness booth was also set-up to provide free body massage, facial spa and foot spa for relaxation of the participants.

Some members of the Pinoy Wise Sulong Mount Diwata OFW and Dependents Association, the host organization displayed their products such as snacks, soap, detergent and garments at a mini trade fair booth.

Meanwhile, fun-filled activities such as parlor games were done hosted by Philhealth after they have presented their programs and services to the attendees. Loads of exciting prizes for the raffle draws with giveaways including school supplies, grocery items, household appliances, bicycles and cash prizes were given away to the lucky raffle draw winners.

The regional manifesto was also presented by Dir. Madrid during the activity. The signing of the manifesto was led by the presidents of five Provincial Federations of OFW Family Circles. (OWWA-Caraga)

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Taguibo Watershed Management Council Meeting

PENRO-Agusan del Norte, Brgy. Tiniwisan, Butuan City

28 June 2016

2016 Regional Literacy Awards Steering Committee Meeting

27 June 2016

Photo GalleryPhilippine Red Cross Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter

Board of Directors Regular MeetingBalanghai Hotel & Convention Center, Butuan City

28 June 2016

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SurSur army chief: Insurgency still lingers in some areas of province

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Col. Isidro Purisima, commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA), this province, admitted that insurgency problems had continued to thrive but only in some areas here.

PROVINCIAL NEWS

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

The government’s campaign to purge the province of rebels had already gained broad support from the public, he stressed.

On June 10, the army brigade here held an Area Clearing Validation (ACV) with Gov. Johnny Pimentel and Brig. Gen. Paul Atal, respective chairs of the Provincial Peace and Order

Council (PPOC), this province, and Area Clearing Validation Board (ACVB) of the army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) aimed at assessing the insurgency situation.

During the occasion, all four battalion commanders of the 402nd Infantry Brigade under Col. Purisima were in attendance together with the

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PENRO SurSur employees crowns Mr. and Ms. Kalikasan 2016

mayors or their alter egos.

In a recent interview, Purisima said that the lawless armed groups (LAG), referring to the New People’s Army (NPA), had still managed to have their presence felt.

This occurred on June 15 when a container van loaded with banana products owned by the DOLE Philippines was set on fire at the national highway of Barangay Amaga in Barobo town, 105 kilometers south, this city.

It was learned however that, together with the police, the counteraction made by government troopers was pinned on the company’s vicinity instead.

Col. Purisima had issued a statement condemning the violent

act, urging the public to do the same. Such incident was already carried out twice in a row in the same town this year.

The brigade commander said that schoolchildren who happened to witness the burning incident made by some 15 lawless elements, according to P/CInsp. Dominador Plaza, the town’s chief of police (COP), were even threatened that something bad was going to be done.

Companies here which do not yield to the rebels’ way of extorting money, had incurred heavy losses, reports indicated.

Col. Purisima had expressed hope that the incoming Duterte administration would put an end to the lingering problem on insurgency in the country. (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag)

By: Maria Catherine M. GonzagaBUTUAN CITY – Employees from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Surigao del Sur won the Search for 2016 Mr. and Ms. Kalikasan during the 29th DENR Anniversary celebration on June 10, 2016 at the DENR Regional Covered Court.

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Kaleb Arreza and Maricris Lamela won the title as they shine in almost all the categories during the event. Among their special awards are Best in Sportswear, Best in Kalikasan Attire, and Best in Formal Attire.

The Search for Mr. and Ms. Kalikasan is an annual event during the celebration of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Anniversary. This event showcases the talents of the employees and paves the way to self improvement.

“Today, we are celebrating our 29th anniversary with the theme: ‘Patuloy na pagsisikap para sa kalikasan: Isang pagdiriwang.’ As we celebrate today’s event, we renew and strengthen our vows to be protectors of our environment and effective public servants. Let us use this celebration as a motivation to strive harder and be

agents of change,” said DENR Caraga regional director Nonito M. Tamayo.

“The competition is not just about beauty and fame but rather aims to promote social awareness in the role of each individual in the protection and conservation of the environment,” he added. (DENR-Caraga)

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Agnor guv prioritizes ‘Education for All’By: Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY – “Making life better for all Agusanons has always been our ardent quest for vision,” says Agusan del Norte governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba. In her state of the province address (SOP) held Friday here, Matba gave emphasis on the importance of giving priority to the education of the youth in the province.

Matba said that for the past few years, the province continues to invest in the young generation and ‘Education for All’ has always been one of her primary goals.

“As leaders and policy makers, it is truly a big challenge to provide education that would equip learners with the needed competencies and prepare them ready for life,” said gov. Matba. Several programs were successfully launched to improve the performance with the support of the

parents and other stakeholders, gov. added.

As a result, in 2015, a reduction of 1.53 percent of the dropout rate in the elementary level in the entire province was achieved.

Governor Matba also reported that the province’s enrolment rate in year 2015 has exceeded the school age population recorded by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). A total of 42,557 students were enrolled as against the PSA count of 39,975.

Also, the province’s performance in the 2015 National Achievement Test in the grade 6 level improved to 87.47 percent from the 2014 achievement of

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84.13 percent.

The quality of education provided in the province according to governor Matba has produced students with exceptional talents and skills. In 2015, Xavier Clyde S. Dubduban of Northern Mindanao Intitute placed first in the regional Science Fair Contest in Microscope Focusing and Karl Andrea Culta got third Best Presenter in the over-all National Radio category.

Similarly for the teacher category, governor Matba has announced that Agusan del Norte was the National Champion for Science Investigatory project (Physical Science) and on the Spot Improvisation of Materials in Science.

During the year 2015, a total of 218 elementary and secondary school buildings amounting to P194,757,194.77 were constructed in the province under her administration.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Caraga regional director Julita A. Ragandang and Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Andre B. Atega of DAR Agusan del Norte personally handed-over the certificate of land ownership awards to the beneficiaries.

Ragandang said that DAR has committed to ensure positive gains

in the fight against rural poverty of all agrarian reform beneficiaries in the re-gion. Record shows that land acquisi-tion and distibution in the province as of December 31, 2015 has an overall ac-complishment of 92 percent, or a dis-tribution of 39,832 hectares out of the total scope of 43,216 hectares. (DAR-Agusan del Norte)

DAR AgNor distributes land titles during CARP anniversary celeb By: Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY - A group of farmer-beneficiaries in the province Agusan del Norte received a total of 73 hect-ares of land titles during the kick-off ceremony of the annual celebration of the Comprehensive Agrar-ian Reform Program (CARP) held at Robinsons Place.

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S This was emphasized by Governor Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” Plaza during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) held on Friday at the Naliyagan Cultural Center Main Stage here.

According to Gov. Plaza, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga has intensified its provision of vegetables seeds, fruit trees seedlings, upland rice seeds, corn seeds, rubber seedlings, and pre and post harvest facilities to the different communities to help their livelihood, increase their

production and income.

“The Philippine Coconut Authority has also supported the local government in the provision of coconut seedlings, as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Development in allocating funds for the establishment of day care centers. The Department of Health has also helped in providing more visible sanitary toilets and Botika ng mga Barangay. Medical missions were also conducted to address the health needs of our people,” bared Gov. Plaza.

Government’s programs reached local residents in AgSur, says Gov. Plaza

PROSPERIDAD – “Government programs and services has reached to our local residents in the different municipalities here in the province of Agusan del Sur.”

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

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Gov. Plaza also cited that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has provided armchairs for the Indigenous peoples (IPs). The PAMANA road projects of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has also helped in constructing concrete roads for the localities to experience convenience in travelling from the upland area to the public market and other destinations.

“We would like to thank the unstinting support of the officials in Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the passage of the Agusan del Sur Agriculture Code of 2016. This landmark legislation provides a healthy and robust enabling environment for the agriculture sector so that it becomes a potent sector in reducing poverty,” said Plaza.

Overall, a total of 394 kilometers of provincial roads are in good and fair condition according to Gov. Plaza. “A total of 102,389 households have

benefitted from the road projects using provincial funds covering 215 kilometers. The PAMANA Project using the DILG fund rehabilitated a total of 22.3 kilometers benefitting 5,983 households in the municipalities of Sibagat, Prosperidad, Veruela, San Luis, and Esperanza,” he underlined.

“We will continue to ensure the meaningful engagement of civil society organizations in the development process. We will continue to physically integrate geographically isolated communities to markets and urban centers through infrastructure development. We will assist communities become resilient in disaster-prone and human-induced calamities. We will continue to ensure sustainable management of environment assets. We will develop and promote cluster destinations to optimize tourism potential. Finally, we will invest in the normalization, stability, and improved confidence in insurgency-affected areas,” stressed Gov. Plaza.

21 Barangay Agrarian Reform chairpersons take oath in AgSurBy: Cyrene Flor B. Tajonera and Kristine H. Pedralvez

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur - Twenty one (21) Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) chairpersons of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur took oath before Hon. Erwin G. Ruiz, Provincial Agrarian Reform Adjudicator (PARAD) held reently at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office in San Francisco, this province.

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The ceremony was done in order for the BARC to attest the master list of qualified Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from the said municipality.

Two hundred forty two (242) farmers were qualified to become an ARB of the 50 landholdings covered under Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) with a total area of 428.0966 hectares.

“The farmers listed should be screened and identified thoroughly with the help of the BARC and thus, they are the one to confirm the legitimacy of the ARBs,” PARAD Ruiz pointed out.

One of the functions of the BARC contained in Sec. 47 of R.A. 6657 is to assist in the identification of the qualified beneficiaries in the barangay and to attest the accuracy of the initial parcellary mapping of the beneficiary’s tillage.

“Isip usa ka BARC, dili lang paghusay sa mga gubot bahin sa agraryo sa barangay level ang among responsibilidad, lakip pa ni ini ang pagpamatuod sa mga benepisyaryo nga sila gayud ang nagtikad sa maong luna (As a BARC, aside from mediating local agrarian disputes in the barangay level, it is also our responsibility to confirm that the beneficiaries are the actual tillers of a certain landholding),” said Conrado Abraham, BARC chairperson of Barangay Nato, Esperanza.

Also, in line with the policy of encouraging people’s initiative and self-reliance, the government promulgated Executive Order 229 and affirmed its commitment to building a community-based implementing and coordinating mechanism for CARP by establishing the BARC. (DAR-Agusan del Sur)

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Surigao Norte guv supports Duterte’s view on mining

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - Governor Sol F. Matugas recently clarified that she supports the stand of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte against irresponsible mining.

Gov. Matugas also said that she is strictly enforcing applicable rules and pertinent regulations to make sure that mining companies comply with official policies.

It can be recalled that on June 4, President-elect Duterte told the big mining companies, particularly in Surigao del Norte, to stop destroying the environment.

“I am for responsible mining. I believe in caring for the environment. That is why at the end of this month we are opening a coastal resource center in Hayangabon, Claver,” said Governor Matugas.

She added that even big mining companies at present are required to

observe with the terms and conditions of their existence, to make sure that they do the best practices in terms of making sure that reforestation and tree-planting activities are completed.

Surigao del Norte is one of the major sources of gold, nickel and minerals. Gov. Matugas said she is doing all her best to regulate mining and see to it that the environment is taken care of.

“No new mining permits will be issued and those existing mining companies like Hinatuan Mining Company, Taganito HPAL, and others must comply with the strict environmental laws of the land,” she added. (PGO-Surigao del Norte)

By: John Glenn Platil

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The orientation was facilitated by DTI Dinagat Islands officer-in-charge Arnold D. Faelnar together with the representatives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The BMBEs Act of 2002 encourages the formation and growth of barangay micro business enterprises by granting them incentives and other benefits.

Previously, the processing of BMBE registration was assigned to the Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) through the Municipal

Treasurer’s Office but recently said authority was transferred to the DTI by virtue of R.A. 10644 otherwise known as the “Go Negosyo Act.”

The orientation tackled the rationale of the program, its legal basis and related statutes, as well as matters such as the eligibility requirements and incentives of BMBE registered micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Issues and concern on its implementation were also discussed during the one-day activity. (DTI-Dinagat Islands)

DTI Dinagat Islands holds BMBE orientation

DINAGAT ISLANDS – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Dinagat Islands conducted recently the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) orientation to all the municipal treasurers of the different municipalities of the province held at the Negosyo Center in San Jose town.

By: Jasmin A. Dano

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BUTUAN CITY OFFICIALS OATH-TAKING CEREMONYMayor Ronnie Vicente Conde Lagnada

Vice Mayor Jose S. Aquino IICongressman Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun (Butuan City-Las Nieves)

City Councilors: * Glenn Carampatana * Ferdinand Nalcot * Rema E. Burdeos * Derrick Plaza * Cromwell Nortega * Omar O. Andaya * Cherry May Busa

Vincent Rizal C. Rosasrio * Ehrnest John Sanchez * John Gil UnayAlmont Inland Resort, Butuan City

30 June 2016

Photo Gallery

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MINDANAO NEWS

DAVAO CITY - Reaffirming the European Union’s (EU) commitment to promote and expand domestic and international markets for Mindanao products, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen will grace the launch of the Mindanao Collective Trademark (MCT), a system designed to enhance the competitiveness of products originating from Mindanao.

EU ambassador supports launch of Mindanao

collective trademark

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The MCT launch, slated for Tuesday at the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel here in the city will officially unveil the MCT logo that will become the distinct mark of quality products coming from the island-region.

Ambassador Jessen is expected to keynote the event that will gather key government officials, top business players, chief local executives and private sector representatives from across the region.

“The participation of the ambassador during MCT launch sends a strong signal of EU’s interest to enhance trading with the Philippines, giving particular attention to high-quality products from Mindanao,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

She added that EU-Philippines through its Trade Related Technical Assistance Project 3 (TRTA3) supported MinDA in the development of the trademark in line with its efforts to contribute to the country’s integration into the international and regional trading and investment system.

MinDA is the lead agency in the implementation of the MCT system, as part of its mandate to increase trade and investments and boost the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Mindanao.

“Once fully utilized, the MCT

will give Mindanao agri-products a certain distinction in the global market where standards on good agricultural practices, organic farming, single origin, are given premium consideration among discerning buyers,” Antonino added.

The MCT is a collective trademark that will function as a certification trademark. Certification trademarks are owned by an organization who would allow for its use by companies that comply with the rules and standards defined by the owner of that particular certification mark. A collective trademark on the other hand is used by particular members of the organization that owns it.

In the case of the MCT, it aims to improve the competitiveness of the products originating from the island-region through alignment with internationally recognized Voluntary Standards (VS) which guarantee sound management practices, traceability, and sustainability.

“In the global markets, where commodities converge and compete, there is a growing preference among buyers for information on their sources,” said Antonino while adding “aside from scale, quality, and delivery, consumers also want to know the origin of the products that they are buying.”

The introduction of the MCT system strategically fits into the Mindanao agri development agenda

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put forward by the economic agenda of incoming administration.

Through the TRTA 3, the EU is assisting in developing and enhancing the systems and procedures of the Intellectual Property of the Philippines in the promotion, protection and registration of Geographical Indications and Collective Marks, among many others. It is a program funded by the EU in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry.

In the past three years, organic products from Mindanao have been aggressively penetrating the EU market through international trade fairs and exhibits. At the 2014 Biofach Organic Fair, the world’s leading trade fair for organic food products in Nuremberg, Germany, products from Mindanao such as the organic black rice and coco sugar earned international attention.

Bios Dynamis, an organic rice producer popular for its sought-after organic black rice, and the TreeLife coco sugar from the town of Carmen in North Cotabato showcased Mindanao-grown organic products during the four-day international exhibit, which was attended by more than 42,000 trade visitors from 135 countries.

“Success stories like these need to be sustained and replicated, and we aim to achieve more of these through the MCT system,” said Antonino while adding “we hope to see many of our

local producers and manufacturers conquer the international market while carrying the distinct Mindanao trademark.”

A Knowledge Center on Voluntary Standards and Best Management Practices will be established to will encourage the MCT beneficiaries to adopt to their VS of interest and eventual use of the trademark. The center will be hosted by MINDA and will compose networks of experts from the academe and the private sector who have extensive experience in various voluntary standards.

Collective trademarks are similar systems used by collective quality labels in Europe that due to these distinct labels, products are preferred by consumers. Products that carry collective quality labels in Europe are currently generating revenues of more than P2.6 trillion annually and make up about 15 percent of all European food and beverage exports. (MinDA)

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National Disaster Consciousness Month Celebration- Kick-off- Motorcade- Opening Program with Zumba- Press ConferenceAgusan del Norte Provincial Capitol Covered Court, Butuan City1 July 2016

Photo Gallery

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NATIONAL NEWS

Manila - Climate Change Commission (CCC) Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said the Philippines can draw an inspiration from Germany in energy efficiency and use of renewable energy, as the country looks for alternative sources of electricity to create climate-resilient communities.

Philippines sees Germany as model in shift to renewable energy

De Guzman, along with CCC Commissioner Frances Veronica Victorio, met on June 28 with German parliamentarian Bärbel Höhn, chair of the Committee on the Environment,

Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of the German jr, who shared her country’s gains in the switch from coal and nuclear power towards renewables.

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They were joined by German Embassy Charge d’Affaires Michael Hasper and some members of the academe and environmentalists in a luncheon meeting in Casa Roces at the Malacañang compound in Manila.

“We are looking at the German experience as one of our models in our journey towards a low-emission and climate-resilient future for our country,” said De Guzman, vice chairperson of the CCC, after the meeting.

’Energiewende’ or energy transition in German has been a phenomenon as shown by renewables making significant strides in the German energy sector, which was once heavily dependent on coal,” he added.

Coming from North Rhine-Westphalia, which is known for its coal industry, Höhn was an environmental activist before she became State Minister for Environment and Agriculture in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Affiliated with the Green Party’s parliamentary group, Höhn has made the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy as her advocacy.

Höhn said coal firms in Germany have been “losing money for investing in the wrong technology” after renewables have become the most important source of energy in Germany.

As of last year, the renewables’ share in the energy mix in Germany was reportedly at 28 percent, way above the expectations of advocates.

In July last year, Germany hit a new milestone in its campaign for carbon-free electricity when renewable energy sources met 78 percent of the day’s energy demand.

De Guzman said the Philippines could learn from Germany’s experience as the government reviews its energy policy to pave the way for a comprehensive transition to renewable and sustainable energy.

“The policy review allows knowledge exchange on existing good practices in managing transitions from fossil fuel-based energy to renewable energy,” he added.

The CCC, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Energy and the National Economic Development Authority, has six months or until the end of the year to conduct a national review and framework development on energy, as mandated by Commission Resolution No.2016-001 it issued last month.

The policy review is vital to fulfilling the country’s commitments under the Paris climate agreement to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. (PND)

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National government budget surplus at P55 B in April 2016

MANILA- The national government posted a surplus of P55.0 billion in April 2016 on the back of strong revenue collections, bringing the year-to-date deficit down to P57.5 billion. Net of interest payments, the national government’s primary balance for January-April 2016 stood at a surplus of P59.9 billion. April 2016 surplus stood at P69.8 billion. National government revenues for the month amounted to P246.6 billion, 18% or P37.5 billion higher than recorded in April 2015, while

expenditures totaled P191.6 billion, 22% or P35.1 billion wider than year-ago figures.

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Year-to-date, total revenues rose 7% year-on-year, amounting to P725.6 billion, while expenditures expanded 19% to reach P783.1 billion.

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said, “I am pleased to report a strong finish on both the revenue and expenditure sides of the Republic’s balance sheet. Consistently solid fiscal performance has put the nation on its firmest fiscal footing in history. The aggressive expansion of fiscal space in a span of 6 years has also funded the most intensive amount of investment the country has seen–fuel for Asia’s bright star to keep burning bright in these challenging times. I am highly confident that the next administration’s economic team has what it takes to improve and build on our gains moving forward.

In a volatile world flirting with crisis after crisis, I believe the Philippines has worked and earned the right to be defiantly optimistic.”

The Bureau of Internal Revenue

collected P177.7 billion for the month, up by 10% or P16.9 billion year-on-year. Collections stood at P507.8 billion for January-April 2016, expanding 9% on-

year.

Meanwhile, as collections on oil for the first four m o n t h s of 2016 continued to shrink by 14% on the back of lower oil prices, the Bureau of

Customs (BOC) more than made up for it in robust non-oil collections growth of 5.7% for the 4-month period and 21.6% just for the month of April. This caused the BOC to collect P32.7 billion for the month of April, a 16% jump from year-ago figures to haul a total of P123.2 billion for January-April 2016, reflecting a 2% growth.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised P16.4 billion for the month, 142% higher year-on-year, and P52.4 billion in total for the January-April period, reflecting a 7% increase year-on-year. Interest payments amounted to P14.8 billion for April 2016, lower by 6%, and P117.4 billion for the first four months of the year. Interest payments accounted for 15% of expenditures for January-April 2016, down from 18% posted a year ago.(DOF)

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Project Shoebox School Kits DistributionDACP, Bancasi, Butuan City

30 June 2016

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Agusan del Sur

Surigao del Norte/Dinagat Islands

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ABNER M. CAGA

EDITORIAL BOARD

FRYAN E. ABKILAN

NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE

VENUS LIM GARCIA

GERIE MAE G. COCORONNIE E. MADANGUIT

JENNIFER P. GAITANO

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PhotographerROBESPIERRE C. TRADIO

AGUSAN DEL NORTE Jose Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 815-1991E-mail: pia.northagusan@gmail.comFacebook: PIA Agusan del NorteTwitter: @PIAAgusanNorte

Jose Rosales Avenue, Butuan City E-mail: piacaraga@gmail.com; pia_caraga@yahoo.com.phTelephone no. (085) 341-5285; Telefax No.: (085) 341-2370Facebook: PIA Caraga Updates Twitter: @PIACaraga

AGUSAN DEL SURProvincial Government Center,Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del SurCellphone no. 0917-723-3455E-mail: pia.agusandelsur@yahoo.com.phFacebook: PIA Agusan del SurTwitter: @AgSurPIA

SURIGAO DEL SUROld DPWH Bldg., Telaje, Tandag CityTelephone no. (086) 211-3353 E-mail: piasurigaosur@gmail.com;sds_pia@yahoo.com.phFacebook: PIA Surigao del SurTwitter: @piasurigaosur

SURIGAO DEL NORTE/DINAGAT ISLANDSParrucho corner Magallanes St., Surigao CityTelephone no. (086) 826-9450E-mail: piasurigao@gmail.comFacebook: PIA Surigao del Norte; PIA Dinagat IslandsTwitter: @PIASurigaoNorte

JEAN PEARL I. MILLONESJOHN GLENN PLATIL

CYRENE FLOR B. TAJONERA KRISTINE H. PEDRALVEZ

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MARIA CATHERINE M. GONZAGADAR-AGUSAN DEL SUR

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